The Republican majority on the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee has proposed four articles of impeachment against US President Bill Clinton.

The articles, to be debated on Thursday, include two counts of perjury, one of obstruction of justice and one of abuse of power.

It is expected the committee will vote this week to send at least one of the proposals - probably that of perjury - on to the full House.

The BBC Washington correspondent says Wednesday's debate was the last chance for the Democrats to present their basic case - that President Clinton sinned, but did not break the law.

But the Republicans' chief counsel, David Schippers, is expected to introduce fresh evidence when he sums up the case for impeachment: excerpts from the videotape of Mr Clinton answering questions in the Paula Jones sexual harassment suit.

This evidence could reinforce the Republicans' claim that the President was contemptuous of the law.